HC Deb 04 April 1898 vol 56 c18
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, notwithstanding his statement in 7th March that the question of bond-giving in the Post Office was under the consideration of the Treasury, boys receiving 12s. per week and girls 10s. per week in the telegraph service are being called upon to furnish bond for £100; and, if so, will the Postmaster General consider the desirability of waiving further action pending the decision of the Treasury?

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) Preston

The persons to whom the hon. Member refers do not give bond to the Crown, and, in the absence of particulars, the Postmaster General is unable to say whether or not they give bond to their head postmaster. As regards bonds given to postmasters, the rule is as follows— Subject to the decision of the Postmaster General as to the amount, the postmaster may require the clerks, sorting clerks, telegraphists, and other officers at his office to give bond to himself, and, if he does so, he should enforce in their case the rules laid down for his own guidance. The Treasury have now received the opinions of the other Departments concerned in this question, and will announce their decision very shortly.